Kick the Back Pain: Best Mattress for Back Pain
Can we all just admit that we are tired? Especially during the holidays when we are running from one party to the next or dishing up batches of cookies or frantically searching around town for the perfect gift. When we finally drag ourselves to bed, most likely after falling fast asleep on the couch watching the latest Hallmark Christmas movie, it is important your mattress is helping you achieve restful and restorative sleep. A recent sleep survey revealed 9 out of 10 respondents cited their mattress as an important factor in getting good sleep. In addition, a good mattress can help prevent and alleviate lower back pain. To achieve the goal of good sleep, Americans spend almost $5.8 billion annually on mattresses and box springs alone. Choosing the right mattress for you may be the difference between waking up rested and pain-free or chugging coffee through the day just to keep your eyes open. Sleep deprivation has serious health consequences that can lead to weight gain and a weakened immune system. Choosing the right mattress is vital for your whole health.
Mattresses aren’t a modern day invention. In fact, cave dwellers fashioned mattresses out of animal skin and leaves or straw to sleep on. While rudimentary, they helped to provide a little padding from the hard cave ground. Egyptians improved upon the idea by raising the bed off the ground which helps insulate those in the bed and keep them warm. In the modern day mattress era there are so many options that it is dizzying. There is spring, or foam, or those that adjust to your preferences. Some even move up and down to create just the perfect angle for sleeping.
Choosing The Right Mattress
So where do you begin? Experts agree that that personal comfort should be your top priority. Your sleep depends on you being comfortable. There is no reason to force yourself to like a mattress that is not best suited to you and your personal preferences. If you have any back pain, that is also an important factor to take into consideration while buying a mattress. While some think that affirmer mattress is better for your back, that assumption is actually false. Since 31 million Americans suffer from back pain, this is incredibly important. Medical studies have shown those sleeping on a medium-firm mattress were twice as likely to report an improvement in back pain as opposed to those sleeping on a firm mattress. Medium-firm mattresses provide a good balance between back support and comfort for those who suffer from back pain. Mattresses that are too firm put extra stress on the back which results in more pain for some individuals. Many chiropractors suggest finding a mattress that conforms to the natural curve of your spine. Determining this will require another person to examine your spine while lying on the mattress and observing the position of the spine and ensuring it is in a neutral position. Another factor to consider is your size. The needs of someone who is tall and heavy can be very different from a petit person. This is another reason it is important to test a mattress prior to purchasing.
Making The Purchase
When it comes to purchasing the mattress remember that name brand and high cost don’t always mean they are the best purchase. Also, before purchasing you need to test the mattress for about 20 minutes. Many online mattress retailers and brick and mortar stores will allow you to return a mattress within a set number of days. If the mattress isn’t working for you, always try something else.
Replacing Your Mattress
Finally, know when it is time to replace your mattress. Most experts agree modern mattresses have a lifespan of about eight years. After that time the materials begin to break down and make sleeping on it more uncomfortable. In addition, a mattress that begins to sag can lead to misalignment in the spine. A box spring should also be replaced around the same time. Older beds also do not meet the same fire resistance regulations that current mattresses must. For both your health and safety upgrade to a new mattress when the time is right.
